Northern CA vs. Southern CA for new traveler

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Specializes in Peds.

I am considering my first travel assignment in California and am curious about which would be a great first assignment for a new traveler. I will likely be traveling alone and I want to be in a city that will offer tons of opportunities for outdoorsy fun and a vibrant nightlife! I'm pretty outgoing and adventurous but I am worried of feeling isolated and alone. The toss-up is between San Francisco, San Diego and L.A. Once I get over the hurdle of doing my first assignment, I think I will be pretty fearless...but I just need to gather the courage to take this leap!! Which city will be best-suited for a first-timer?!

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

Been all over the state. San Diego has more of what you describe as wanting to do. Great place to do things.

Balboa Park

San Diego Zoo

Coronado

Ocean Beach (OB)

Pacific Beach (PB)

Mission Bay

Sunset Cliffs

Ft. Rosecrans

Pacific Coast Highway- PCH

Sea World

Torrey Pines

Point Loma

Old Town

La Jolla Cove

Miramar

Temecula wineries

Wild Animal Park

Palomar Observatory

ComicCon

USS Midway

TiJuana (TJ)

Viejas Casino

Alpine

Solana Beach

Del Mar

Carlsbad

Chargers

Padres

Seaport Villiage

GasLamp

Bet you can't get it all done in an assignment. Took me 3 13-week assignments

but I did. If you find yourself in your apartment with nothing to do you're WRONG! And if they put you up in La Mirage... well, that doesn't suck either.

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Specializes in Peds.

Wow! Thanks so much... I really appreciate the input! I was actually out there in SoCal a few months ago (mainly in the L.A area) visiting a friend and really fell in love with the San Diego area, despite having spent about a day there. I think it would be a great fit that would keep me interested and active! Any problem finding friends or company to do things with while on assignment??? I am still considering the L.A area too. Have you done an assignment in L.A.? If so, would you recommend it? Either way, I am super excited for my west coast adventures. La Mirage looks quite nice... is this the fabled La Mirage that I think I've noticed on a few threads as being home to a fun, rowdy, partying crowd?? I am cool with that... just curious though of your experience. And just one more thing (I am going beserk here with the inquiries)... I am fishing around with a few travel companies and am wondering who you may recommend....Thanks again;)

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Specializes in Emergency Dept.

I traveled in Northern California, (San Francisco area) for about 4 years and loved it. They pay was great, loved the city and the area. I worked as regular staff in San Diego and having spoken with lots of travelers in San Diego San Francisco pays much better then San Diego. I guess you really have to decide what is your motivating factor for picking an assignment--money or the experience of getting to live in the area? If its money then San Francisco is the way to go. Personally I prefer Norcal to Socal for its beauty, outdoor activities and social aspects over Socal but thats just me.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.
any problem finding friends or company to do things with while on assignment??? i am still considering the l.a area too. have you done an assignment in l.a.? if so, would you recommend it?

been there... done that!

i find la a filthy/dirty place. even around santa monica and venice.

unless you're in burbank/glendale/pasadena just keep it as a place to come and visit but not a place to live.

la mirage looks quite nice... is this the fabled la mirage that i think i've noticed on a few threads as being home to a fun, rowdy, partying crowd?? i am cool with that... just curious though of your experience.

yes, la mirage has been quite the party place. at least it had been so in the past.

there were san diego charger cheerleaders that worked out in the fitness center. the pool was always a happening place. it's a little older now and has calmed down quite a bit. there are still some parties here and there but not to the magnitude of yesteryear.

it's still a really nice place. there's police and security there always. you would never feel threatened or unsafe. it's kinda' out of the way for the homeless and riff-raff to frequent. besides, most travel companies put their nurses there so it's convenient for getting together with others and having some fun out.

i am fishing around with a few travel companies and am wondering who you may recommend....thanks again;)

not to steer you to one company over another but since you asked: emerald and on assignment have good opportunities in san diego as well as all over california.

amn has a presence there as well but if you look at any of my other posts i wouldn't travel with them until they get their heads outta their backsides and stop fleecing their travelers.

have a good time. traveling is great. welcome to your new lifestyle. -ty

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I'm with Traumadude- prefer NoCal to SoCal-tons to do and beautiful; I personally didn't feel the vibe in San Diego, but oh well............

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Please can someone help me out with names of good travel agencies for sanfransisco area

In will really appreciate it. Right now I'm working with Hrn but I would like to explore others options

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